Week Against Racism Draws Massive Crowds, Sparking Dialog on Colonialism, Tech Bias, and Social Justice
Amsterdam, netherlands – The seventh annual Week Against Racism, held from March 17-22, 2020, in amsterdam’s Pakhuis de Zwijger, culminated in a powerful exhibition against racism and fascism on Dam Square.Organized in collaboration with the ‘Together against Racism’ coalition, the week-long event drew over 15,000 participants who gathered too challenge structural racism and exclusion. The events fostered critical conversations around overlooked histories, the impact of technology, and the role of art in social change.
Colonialism, Marxism, and the Unearthing of Forgotten Histories
Two panel discussions, “Decolonial Marxism” and “The Doctrine of Discovery,” emerged as focal points of the week. “Decolonial Marxism” explored the resurgence of Marxist thought among younger generations grappling with economic inequality, the erosion of social services, and the pervasive impact of racism. This revival emphasizes the critical role of the colonial context in understanding contemporary issues.
As Americans grapple with similar issues of economic disparity and historical injustice, the themes explored are particularly relevant. For example, the Fight for $15 movement, advocating for a higher minimum wage, directly addresses economic inequalities that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
we see how economic inequality, demolition of social services and the impact of racism lead to a revival of this ideas, in which the colonial context is indispensable.
The panel on The Doctrine of Discovery, which addressed the genocide of native peoples in Abya Yala (the Americas), resonated deeply with attendees. While the history of slavery has gained increasing attention, the large turnout underscored the meaningful demand for knowledge about the frequently enough-overlooked history and lasting impact of colonialism on native communities.
This discussion parallels ongoing debates in the U.S. regarding land rights, treaty obligations, and the legacy of historical trauma experienced by Native American tribes. The dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock, such as, highlighted the ongoing struggle for indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice.
Technology, Exclusion, and the power of Stories
The “Excluded by Design” program shed light on how AI and border surveillance technologies contribute to racial profiling and human rights violations. Participants examined the racial dimensions of digital regulations in the EU, the use of facial recognition technology, and the deployment of robot dogs on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Visitors learned about the racial dimensions of digital regulations in the EU, the use of face recognition, and even the arrival of robot dogs on the American border-scenarios that are reminiscent of dystopian science fiction, but today are a reality.
These scenarios echo concerns within the U.S. regarding the potential for algorithmic bias in policing,sentencing,and access to essential services. Civil rights organizations have raised alarms about the use of facial recognition technology in law enforcement, citing its disproportionate misidentification of people of color.
As an example, a 2019 study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found that facial recognition algorithms demonstrated substantially higher false positive rates for African American and Asian faces compared to Caucasian faces. This raises serious questions about fairness and equity in the submission of these technologies.
Art, Film, and Culture in Motion
A diverse cultural program, featuring film screenings, dance performances, installations, and exhibitions, ran throughout the week. These artistic expressions explored themes of identity, resistance, and community, providing platforms for marginalized voices and perspectives.
“Blame Game,” an interactive theater experience,facilitated conversations about personal prejudices through storytelling,fostering intimate and frequently enough confrontational connections among participants. This approach aligns with efforts in the U.S. to promote dialogue and understanding across racial and cultural divides, such as community-based workshops and facilitated discussions on implicit bias.
The week culminated with a performance of the DomiKnow, a collective of singers, dancers, musicians, and spoken word artists from the Global South, showcasing diverse artistic traditions and perspectives.
Demonstration on Dam square: A United Front Against Racism and fascism
The Week Against Racism reached its peak with a massive demonstration on Dam Square on Saturday, March 22, 2020. Under the banner Together against racism and fascism
, at least 15,000 people gathered to voice their opposition to discrimination and injustice.
The demonstration mirrored similar movements in the U.S., such as the Black Lives Matter protests that have swept the nation in recent years, demanding an end to police brutality and systemic racism. The unprecedented turnout underscored the urgent need for collective action and resistance against all forms of prejudice and discrimination.
How does the discussion around “The Doctrine of Discovery” resonate in modern society?
Interview: Professor anya Sharma on the Week Against Racism and its Impact
Introduction: Discussing Racism and Social Justice
Welcome, Professor Anya Sharma, to Archyde News. It’s a pleasure to have you. The Week Against Racism recently concluded in amsterdam, and it’s clear from the reports that it was a powerful event. Can you give us your initial impressions and overall views on the impact of the week’s events?
Professor Anya sharma: Thank you for having me. The Week Against Racism was truly remarkable. It provided a crucial platform for addressing critical issues like colonialism, the misuse of technology, and social justice. The high level of engagement and the size of the crowds show how vital these discussions are to people today.
Colonialism, Marxism, and Historical Context
The article highlights discussions on topics like Decolonial Marxism and the Doctrine of Discovery. Could you elaborate on the resurgence of Marxist thought and its relevance in understanding contemporary issues related to racism and economic inequality?
Professor Anya Sharma: Certainly. The revival of Marxist thought is being seen among the newer groups. One aspect of Marxism is its capacity to analyse economic inequality and racial prejudice together,emphasizing how the legacy of colonialism affects current society.It gives a framework for understanding the interconnectedness, for example, of economic disparity, the erosion of social services, and the persistent presence of racism.
How does the discussions around “The Doctrine of Discovery” resonates in modern society?
Professor anya Sharma: It’s quiet significant. The Doctrine of Discovery is really about recognizing the lasting effects of colonialism on native communities. The discussions highlighted the ongoing relevance of questions of land rights, historical trauma, and indigenous sovereignty.
Technology, Algorithmic Bias, and Digital Regulations
The “Excluded by Design” program addressed the impact of AI and border surveillance technologies. Can you explain how these technologies contribute to racial profiling and human rights violations?
Professor Anya Sharma: One of the main points is that facial recognition technology contains built-in biases and is being used with the potential misidentification of people of color far frequently than white individuals. The racial dimensions of digital regulations have shown there is a rising issue. As society is pushing for more surveillance,we must also talk about digital equality.
In what ways do these concerns resonate with ongoing debates in the tech and social justice spaces?
Professor Anya Sharma: There is a growing realisation of the possible negative implications of facial recognition and AI in general. Activists are pushing for clear rules and oversight.There are growing calls for more equity and fairness in how these technologies are used.
Art, Culture, and Community Engagement
The Week Against Racism included a cultural program with film screenings, dance performances, and interactive experiences. How does art and cultural expression contribute to the fight against racism and social change?
Professor Anya Sharma: Art is very powerful becuase it shows different points of view and offers spaces where marginalized groups can tell their own stories. The interactive theater experience, “Blame Game,” is a great case of how personal prejudices may be questioned, which promotes discussion and understanding across cultural and racial divides.
Presentation and Collective Action
The week culminated with a massive demonstration on Dam Square involving 15,000 participants. How important are these collective actions in challenging racism and fascism?
Professor Anya Sharma: These demonstrations are crucial. The turnout signifies the urgency for collective action against any kind of inequality and prejudice. The demonstration shows their shared support for fairness and opposition, for what they believe in.
Conclusion
Professor Sharma, looking ahead, where do you see the next steps in this continuing battle against racism and discrimination? Do you have any final remarks or suggestions for our readers?
Professor Anya Sharma: The next steps must include continued discussions on topics such as critical race theory and the impact of colonialism. I think it is indeed vital that we keep creating inclusive platforms for discussion and action. I would propose that everyone continue to educate themselves. In addition to that, supporting companies or groups which make the community more equitable, would be a good start. Remember, changing society is a marathon, not a sprint.
Are there any examples that can be drawn from the U.S. that could serve as inspiration to other audiences facing the same concerns brought up by the Week Against Racism events?
Professor Anya Sharma: The Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S. has drawn attention to problems and acted to end police brutality. Additionally, many Americans have supported efforts to promote diversity through workshops, community programs, and facilitated exchanges.
Thank you, Professor Sharma, for sharing your expertise. It was a pleasure talking to you.
Professor anya Sharma: Thank you for having me.
Reader Interaction
What actions have you taken or do you think could be effective in combating racism in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
